Title
Provide an update on initiatives addressing challenges with the unhoused population.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Councilmember Elizabeth Villafranca
BACKGROUND:
This agenda item is presented at the request of Councilmember Villafranca to provide an update to the City Council on the City’s ongoing efforts to address the unhoused concerns.
The City Council and staff recognize the challenges the City of Farmers Branch faces regarding the unhoused population and use various resources to address them, particularly at the borders we share with the City of Dallas. However, the City of Farmers Branch cannot enforce its codes and regulations at the borders of our city. The City Management has been exploring different pathways to address these concerns through collaboration with the neighboring cities.
The City of Farmers Branch has long been committed to supporting residents in crisis through strong partnerships with local social service organizations, most notably Metrocrest Services. Through its social services contract with Metrocrest, the City provides funding for emergency rental and utility assistance, job placement programs, financial education, counseling, and healthcare access. Despite these sustained efforts, challenges related to individuals experiencing homelessness continue to persist and evolve in complexity, requiring a broader, coordinated regional strategy beyond the City’s direct control.
In 2023 (May 2), City staff proposed adding a contract position dedicated to addressing unhoused concerns and coordinating outreach efforts. While that contract position was not established, the City Manager’s Office, in collaboration with the Police, Parks, and Public Works Departments, has continued to manage this responsibility through a multi-departmental approach.
To effectively address these concerns with neighboring cities, the City of Farmers Branch initiated a partnership with the City of Dallas in February 2023 to explore shared strategies to address unhoused concerns. Following an initial coordination meeting in June 2023 at the City of Farmers Branch City Hall with the Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions, City of Carrollton, Town of Addison, and additional partners, including Metrocrest Services and TxDOT, joined to form a multi-city working group.
The group’s primary objectives are to:
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide interagency coordination; and
• Establish a unified regional response framework for outreach, enforcement, and service delivery.
These SOPs were consolidated and reviewed by the City of Dallas City Attorney’s Office to ensure consistency with applicable legal and operational standards.
Since its formation, the coalition has evolved into a regional task force composed of cross-departmental staff from participating cities. Throughout 2025, Farmers Branch has continued to collaborate actively within this network and with other regional partners such as NTTA and DART to align strategies, share best practices, and coordinate response efforts. The coalition meets regularly to review trends, plan outreach activities, and strengthen interjurisdictional coordination.
Within Farmers Branch, City staff work closely with partner cities, Metrocrest Services, the City of Dallas Homeless Action Response Team (H.A.R.T.), and internal departments to respond to reports, conduct outreach, and maintain community safety. This collaboration enables the City to address immediate concerns while connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with supportive resources and long-term assistance.
What began as a local initiative has grown into a regional model of coordinated, compassionate response that balances community well-being with human dignity. However, despite the formation of this coalition, Farmers Branch is still facing concerns.
DISCUSSION:
Despite all the efforts put forth by the City of Farmers Branch, the city continues to experience challenges related to the unhoused population, both within city limits and across adjacent jurisdictions. These challenges underscore the importance of a coordinated response that integrates social services, public safety, and community engagement.
This presentation provides an overview of:
• Current conditions and areas of concern within Farmers Branch;
• Ongoing response efforts by City departments and partner organizations;
• Resources and tools used to address reports of encampments set by the unhoused population.
• Strategies for future coordination, including enhancing regional collaboration, improving internal response processes, and connecting individuals with long-term supportive services.
The City remains committed to fostering a collaborative, compassionate, and strategic approach to addressing unhoused concerns, ensuring that both community safety and human dignity stay at the forefront of its efforts.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Information memo
2. Presentation